Image reading apparatus having sensor for detecting shape of fed documents, control method for controlling image reading apparatus, and storage medium having stored therein control method

ABSTRACT

An image reading apparatus includes a conveying unit configured to convey a document, a reading unit configured to read an image on the conveyed document, a measurement unit configured to measure a distance from an upper portion of a sheet feeding port for the document to an upper surface of the document, and a control unit configured to, according to the distance measured by the measurement unit, suspend the conveyance of the document by the conveying unit. According to a user operation for reading again the document of which the reading is suspended by the control unit, the conveying unit conveys the document and the reading unit reads the image on the document, and while the document of which the conveyance is suspended is conveyed again, the control unit does not suspend the conveyance of the document based on the distance measured by the measurement unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/372,774, filed Apr. 2, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/819,972, filed Nov. 21, 2017 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 10,291,804 on May 14, 2019, which claims the benefit ofJapanese Patent Application No. 2016-231319, filed Nov. 29, 2016, all ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND Field

Aspects of the present invention relate to an image reading apparatus, acontrol method for controlling an image reading apparatus, and a storagemedium having stored therein a control method.

Description of the Related Art

Conventionally, as an image reading apparatus used in a copying machine,the publication of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-285595discusses an image reading apparatus for causing an automatic documentfeeder (ADF) to convey document sheets one by one and causing acharge-coupled device (CCD) sensor fixed on the conveying path of thedocuments to read an image of each document sheet.

In the image reading apparatus having the above configuration, there isa case where when a document is conveyed, a bundle of document sheetsfrom which staples or clips are not removed is stacked on a documenttray, and a reading instruction is given. The ADF is configured suchthat a separation mechanism of a conveying unit separates and conveysdocument sheets one by one. Thus, if a conveying operation is started inthe state where a bundle of bound document sheets is stacked, a load isapplied to a bound portion when a document sheet on the top surface isseparated and conveyed.

Consequently, the document sheets may become wrinkled or torn. Further,the bound document sheets are sent without being separated, whereby apaper jam may occur on the conveying path.

In response, to avoid such a situation, an apparatus for detecting thata document is bound by staples or clips is discussed.

For example, the publication of Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 2004-182449 discusses an apparatus having a configuration for, todetermine the presence or absence of a bound portion obtained bystapling, clipping, or gluing in a document stacked on a document tray,detecting a change in the height of the document when the document isconveyed, and determining the presence or absence of a bound portion.

The technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2004-182449 detects a change in the height of the document when thedocument is conveyed. In a case where the document is already bent orwrinkled before being conveyed, it may be erroneously determined thatthe document is a bound document although the document is not bound.Then, even if the document is replaced, erroneous detection iscontinuously made.

Further, the conventional technique does not illustrate a methodregarding how to read a document after a bound document is detected.This is unfriendly to a user.

Further, in a case where a stapled bound document is detected, thedocument cannot be read in this bound state by an ADF. Thus, a job isstopped, and the user is instructed to place the document on a documentplaten and execute continuous reading from the start as a new job, or anappropriate operation instruction is not given to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the present invention are directed to providing a mechanismcapable of, in a case where the fact that the shape state of a documentto be conveyed is not normal is caused by the state of the document,receiving from a user an instruction to read the document, withoutdetecting whether the above shape state is not normal.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an image readingapparatus includes a conveying unit configured to convey a document, areading unit configured to read an image on the document conveyed by theconveying unit, a measurement unit configured to measure a distance froman upper portion of a sheet feeding port for the document to an uppersurface of the document, and a control unit configured to, according tothe distance measured by the measurement unit, suspend the conveyance ofthe document by the conveying unit, wherein according to a useroperation for reading again the document of which the reading issuspended by the control unit, the conveying unit conveys the documentand the reading unit reads the image on the document, and wherein, whilethe document of which the conveyance is suspended is conveyed again, thecontrol unit does not suspend the conveyance of the document based onthe distance measured by the measurement unit.

Further features of aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments withreference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an external appearance ofan image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating examples of configurationsof an automatic document feeder (ADF) and an image reading unit.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the imageforming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a user interface (UI) screen displayedon a liquid crystal display (LCD) touch panel.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen displayed on the LCD touchpanel.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for controlling animage reading apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control method for controllingthe image reading apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen displayed on the LCD touchpanel.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen displayed on the LCD touchpanel.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for controlling animage reading apparatus.

FIG. 12 includes FIGS. 12A and 12B that show flowcharts illustrating thecontrol method for controlling the image reading apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen displayed on an LCD touchpanel.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a UI screen displayed on the LCD touchpanel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Next, with reference to the drawings, exemplary embodiments for carryingout aspects of the present invention will be described.

<Description of System Configuration>

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the external appearanceof an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment.This example is described using as an example a multifunction printer(MFP) capable of executing a scan function, a copy function, a printfunction, and a send function.

In FIG. 1, an image reading unit 200 inputs, to a linear image sensor (acharge-coupled device (CCD) sensor), reflected light obtained by causingan illumination lamp to emit light to perform exposure scanning on animage on a document, thereby converting information of the image into anelectric signal. The image reading unit 200 further converts theelectric signal into luminance signals of red (R), green (G), and blue(B) colors and outputs the luminance signals as image data to acontroller unit 400.

Document sheets are set on a document tray 30 of an automatic documentfeeder (hereinafter, “ADF”) 100. If a user gives an instruction throughan operation unit 405 to start reading the document sheets, thecontroller unit 400 sends a reading instruction to read the documentsheets to the image reading unit 200. When receiving this instruction,the image reading unit 200 separates and feeds the document sheets oneby one from the document tray 30 of the ADF 100, and performs a readingoperation for reading the document sheets. Further, it is also possibleto read a document sheet by placing the document sheet on documentplaten glass 202. An image forming unit 500 is an image forming devicefor forming, on a sheet, image data received from the controller unit400.

An image forming method according to the present exemplary embodiment isan electrophotographic method using photosensitive drums andphotosensitive belts. Further, the image forming unit 500 includes as asheet feeding unit 504 a plurality of cassettes compatible withdifferent sheet sizes or different sheet directions. Further, a sheet onwhich printing is completed is discharged to a sheet discharge unit 502or a finisher unit 505.

Example of Configuration of ADF 100

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating examples of theconfigurations of the ADF 100 and the image reading unit 200 accordingto the present exemplary embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, theoperation of the ADF 100 is described below.

In FIG. 2, the ADF 100 includes the document tray 30, on which adocument S including one or more document sheets is stacked, aseparation pad 12, which prevents the document S from protruding fromthe document tray 30 to advance downstream before the conveyance of thedocument S is started, and a sheet feeding roller 1. Further, the ADF100 includes a document detection sensor 23, which detects that thedocument S is placed on the document tray 30, a distance measurementsensor 22, which measures the distance from the top surface of thedocument S, and a separation sensor 24, which detects that the documentS passes through a separation roller 2. A sheet feeding port 25 is aport for feeding the document S into the inside of the ADF 100. Thedistance to be measured by the distance measurement sensor 22 is adistance from the sheet feeding port 25 to the top surface of thedocument S.

The sheet feeding roller 1 falls on the document surface of the documentS stacked on the document tray 30 and rotates. Consequently, a documentsheet on the top surface of the bundle of document sheets is fed. Thedocument sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding roller 1 is separated as asingle sheet by the actions of the separation roller 2 and theseparation pad 12. This separation is achieved by a known retardseparation technique. At this time, even if a predetermined time (t1)elapses from the start of the conveyance, and if the separation sensor24 cannot detect the document sheet, the driving of the sheet feedingroller 1 is stopped. The predetermined time (t1) until the driving isstopped is obtained by adding a sufficient time taking into account thetime of arrival to the separation sensor 24 from the start of theconveyance and a delay that are estimated according to the conveyingspeed.

The document sheet separated by the separation roller 2 and theseparation pad 12 is conveyed to a registration roller 4 by a conveyingroller pair 3 and is hit against the registration roller 4.Consequently, the document sheet is formed into a loop, thereby removingthe skew of the conveyance of the document sheet. Downstream of theregistration roller 4, a sheet feeding path for conveying in thedirection of a skimming-through glass 201 the document sheet havingpassed through the registration roller 4 is placed.

The document sheet sent to the sheet feeding path is sent onto theplaten by a large roller 7 and a conveying roller 5. At this time, thelarge roller 7 comes into contact with the skimming-through glass 201.The document sheet conveyed by the large roller 7 passes through aconveying roller 6, moves between a roller 16 and movement glass, and isdischarged to a document discharge tray 31 through a sheet dischargeflapper and sheet discharge rollers 8.

The ADF 100 in FIG. 2 reads an image of the back surface of the documentsheet by reversing the document sheet. In the state where the documentsheet is inserted between the sheet discharge rollers 8, the sheetdischarge rollers 8 are rotated backward to switch the sheet dischargeflapper, thereby moving the document sheet to a reverse path 19. Themoved document sheet is hit against the registration roller 4 from thereverse path 19 and formed into a loop again, thereby removing the skewof the conveyance of the document sheet. Then, the document sheet ismoved to the skimming-through glass 201 again by the conveying roller 5and the large roller 7. Thus, it is possible to read the back surface ofthe document sheet through the skimming-through glass 201.

Further, in the document tray 30, a guide regulation plate 15 isprovided, which can slide in a sub-scanning direction of the bundle ofdocument sheets stacked on the document tray 30, and a document widthdetection sensor (not illustrated) is also provided, which detects thedocument width in conjunction with the guide regulation plate 15.

By the combination of the document width detection sensor and apre-registration sensor 11, it is possible to distinguish the documentsize of the bundle of document sheets stacked on the document tray 30.Further, the document length detection sensor (not illustrated) providedin a conveying path can also detect the document length based on theconveyance distance between the detection of the front end of a documentsheet that is being conveyed and the detection of the rear end of thedocument sheet. Further, also by the combination of the detecteddocument length and the document width detection sensor, it is possibleto distinguish the document size.

Further, the distance measurement sensor 22 is a sensor for measuringthe distance from the top surface of the document S stacked on thedocument tray 30. For example, the distance measurement sensor 22measures the difference between the distance from the top surface of thedocument S measured before the start of the conveyance of each documentsheet, and the distance from the top surface of the document S measureda predetermined time (t2) after the start of the conveyance. Thus, thedistance measurement sensor 22 can detect the document S having anunusual shape such as being bound by staples. Further, a setting is madesuch that t1>t2, whereby it is possible to detect an unusual shape inthe document S before a jam occurs.

In the exemplary embodiments discussed in the specification, an unusualshape is detected in a document using the above method. Alternatively,an unusual shape may be detected in a document to be conveyed, usinganother method. For example, the distance measurement sensor 22 measuresthe distance from the top surface of the document S. If a value measuredby the distance measurement sensor is smaller than a predeterminedthreshold, an image reading apparatus may detect an unusual shape in thedocument S.

Example of Configuration of Image Reading Unit 200

The image reading unit 200 causes a scanner unit 209 to scan a documentsheet on the document platen glass 202 in a sub-scanning directionindicated by an arrow in FIG. 2, thereby optically reading imageinformation recorded on the document sheet.

Further, regarding document sheets on the ADF 100, document sheets onthe document tray 30 are conveyed one by one to a reading centerposition. Further, the scanner unit 209 is moved to a reading centerposition of the large roller 7 of the ADF 100, and each document sheetis read at the reading center position of the large roller 7. Thedocument sheet on the ADF 100 or the document sheet on the documentplaten glass 202 is read by the following optical system. This opticalsystem includes the skimming-through glass 201, the document platenglass 202, the scanner unit 209, which includes a lamp 203 and a mirror204, mirrors 205 and 206, a lens 207, and a CCD sensor unit 210. Theoptical system photoelectrically converts read image information andinputs the image information as image data to a controller unit notillustrated in FIG. 1. Further, a white plate 219 is a white plate forcreating reference data for a white level by shading. In the presentexemplary embodiment, the CCD sensor unit 210 includes a color imagereading (RGB) CCD (3-line sensor unit) 212 and a monochrome imagereading CCD (1-line sensor unit) 211.

(Control Block of ADF 100)

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the imageforming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

In FIG. 3, the control block of the ADF 100 includes a control unit(hereinafter, “CPU”) 300, which is a central processing unit, aread-only memory (hereinafter, “ROM”) 301, a random-access memory(hereinafter, “RAM”) 302, an output port, and an input port. The ROM 301stores a control program and a fixed parameter. The RAM 302 stores inputdata and work data. The output port is connected to a motor 303, whichdrives various conveying rollers, a solenoid 306, and a clutch 307. Theinput port is connected to each of various sensors 304.

The CPU 300 controls sheet conveyance according to a control programstored in the ROM 301 connected to the CPU 300 via a bus line. The CPU300 performs serial communication with a central processing unit (CPU)321 of the image reading unit 200 via a control communication line 351,and transmits and receives control data to and from the image readingunit 200. Further, the image reading unit 200 is also notified of animage front signal, which is a reference for the front end of documentimage data, through the control communication line 351.

Further, according to the control data from the CPU 321 of the imagereading unit 200, the CPU 300 notifies the image reading unit 200 of thevalues of the various sensors 304. The values of the various sensors 304also include data measured by the distance measurement sensor 22 anddistance data.

(Control Block of Image Reading Unit 200)

In the control block of the image reading unit 200, the CPU 321 performsoverall control of the image reading unit 200. The CPU 321 is connectedto a ROM 322, which stores a program, and a RAM 323, which provides awork area. The RAM 323 illustrates a work area also including an areawhere non-volatile storage is performed.

An optical system motor driving unit 326 is a driver circuit for drivingan optical system driving motor. The image reading unit 200 is connectedto the lamp 203 and the CCD sensor unit 210 (the monochrome imagereading CCD 211 for a surface image and the color image reading CCD 212for a surface image). The CPU 321 controls the optical system motordriving unit 326, and controls the CCD sensor unit 210 via an imageprocessing unit 325, thereby performing an image reading process.

To achieve sheet conveyance, the CPU 321 sends a command regarding sheetconveyance control to the CPU 300 for sheet conveyance control in theADF 100 via the control communication line 351, thereby instructing theCPU 300 to perform sheet conveyance control. The instructed CPU 300monitors the sensors 304 placed on the conveying path and drives themotor 303, the solenoid 306, and the clutch 307 for conveyance, whichare loads, thereby achieving sheet conveyance. As described above, theCPU 321 performs sheet conveyance using the ADF 100 and image readingcontrol using the image reading unit 200. A sheet-to-sheet correctionprocessing unit 324 makes sheet-to-sheet correction.

An image signal based on which an image is formed on the CCD sensor unit210 (either of the color image reading (RGB) CCD 212 and the monochromeimage reading CCD 211) by the lens 207 is converted into digital imagedata. The converted image data is subjected to various types of imageprocessing, such as shading, for detecting and correcting a line imageon the image data by the image processing unit 325 and written to animage memory 329.

The data written in the image memory 329 is sequentially transmitted tothe controller unit 400 through a controller/interface imagecommunication line 353, which includes an image transfer clock signalline. Further, the timing of an image front signal as a reference forthe front end of document image data is adjusted by the CPU 321, and thecontroller unit 400 is notified of the image front signal through acontroller/interface control communication line 352. Also the timing ofan image front signal notified through a communication line from the ADF100 is similarly adjusted by the CPU 321 of the image reading unit 200,and the controller unit 400 is notified of the image front signalthrough the controller/interface control communication line 352.

The CPU 321 controls the image processing unit 325, which is connectedon a control bus line. Further, the CPU 321 transmits a control signalto the CCD sensor unit 210 via the image processing unit 325 and from acontrol communication line 354, thereby controlling the CCD sensor unit210. In the process of scanning a document image using the CCD sensorunit 210, the document image is read by the color image reading CCD 212or the monochrome image reading CCD 211. Then, a read analog imagesignal for each line is output to the CCD control unit 213 from an imagedata communication line 214 or 215, which includes an image transferclock signal line.

The analog signal is converted into digital image data by the CCDcontrol unit 213, and the digital image data is transmitted to thecontroller unit 400 from an image communication line 355, which includesan image transfer clock signal line, via the image memory 329, andthrough the image communication line 353.

The CPU 321 performs serial communication with a CPU 401 of thecontroller unit 400 via the controller/interface control communicationline 352, and transmits and receives control data to and from thecontroller unit 400. According to the control data from the CPU 401 ofthe controller unit 400, the CPU 321 detects an unusual shape in thedocument S that is being conveyed. In the detection of an unusual shape,the CPU 321 calculates the difference between the distance from the topsurface of the document S measured before the start of the conveyance ofeach document sheet, and the distance from the top surface of thedocument S measured the certain time (t2) after the start of theconveyance. If there is a difference (d1) equal to or greater than acertain value, the CPU 321 determines that the document S has an unusualshape. Then, the CPU 321 notifies the CPU 401 of the controller unit 400of the determination result.

(Control Block of Controller Unit 400)

The controller unit 400 for image processing is a device for controllingthe entirety of an image forming apparatus 2000, which includes the ADF100, the image reading unit 200, and the image forming unit 500. Thecontroller unit 400 includes the CPU 401, an image processing circuit402, a scanner interface (IF) 403, an image memory 404, an operationunit 405, a RAM 406, which provides a work area, a ROM 407, which storesa program, a printer IF 408, and a hard disk drive (HDD) 409. The RAM406 illustrates a work area also including an area where non-volatilestorage is performed.

Alternatively, the configuration may be such that a program is loadedfrom the HDD 409 into the RAM 406 and executed by the CPU 401. Imagedata transmitted to the controller unit 400 through the imagecommunication line 353 is saved in the image memory 404 through thescanner IF 403.

The image processing circuit 402 converts an image on the image memory404 and returns the image to the image memory 404 again. Examples of theimage conversion process performed by the image processing circuit 402include a rotation process for rotating an image in the unit of 32pixels×32 pixels at a specified angle, and a resolution conversionprocess for converting the resolution of an image.

Examples of the image conversion process performed by the imageprocessing circuit 402 further include a magnification process forchanging the magnification of an image, and a color space conversionprocess for performing matrix calculation on an image subjected tomulti-valued input and converting a YUV image into a Lab image based ona lookup table (LUT). The color space conversion includes 3×8 matrixcalculation and a one-dimensional LUT, and thereby can perform knownbackground removal and show-through prevention.

The operation unit 405 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) unit, atouch panel input device attached to the LCD unit, and a plurality ofhardware keys. A signal input using the touch panel or the hardware keysis transmitted to the CPU 401. Then, on the LCD unit, functions inoperations on the image forming apparatus 2000 are displayed, or imagedata is displayed.

The controller unit 400 receives an image front signal from the imageforming unit 500 through a controller/interface control communicationline 356. Data written in the image memory 404 based on the image frontsignal as a reference for the front end of image data is sequentiallytransmitted to the image forming unit 500 through a controller/interfaceimage communication line 357, which includes an image transfer clocksignal line, via the printer IF 408.

(Control Block of Image Forming Unit 500)

The image forming unit 500 conveys a recording sheet, prints image dataas a visible image on the recording sheet, and discharges the recordingsheet to outside the apparatus. The image forming unit 500 includes acontrol unit 501, which controls the image forming unit 500, the sheetfeeding unit 504, which includes a plurality of types of recording sheetcassettes, and a marking unit 503, which has the function oftransferring image data onto a recording sheet and fixing the imagedata. The image forming unit 500 further includes the sheet dischargeunit 502, which has the function of outputting a recording sheet onwhich an image is printed to outside the apparatus, and the finisherunit 505, which performs a punching process and a sorting process.

In a case where the marking unit 503 is prepared for image formation,the control unit 501 transmits an image front signal as a reference forthe front end to the controller unit 400 through thecontroller/interface control communication line 356. Then, the markingunit 503 transfers image data sent through the controller/interfaceimage communication line 357 onto a recording sheet and fixes the imagedata.

[Configuration of Operation Unit 405]

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the operationunit 405 illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates an LCD touch panel 600, on which main mode settingsare made, and the state of the apparatus is displayed. A numeric keypad601 is used to input numerical values from 0 to 9. An identification(ID) key 602 is used to input a department number and an identificationmode in a case where the apparatus is managed on a departmental basis.

A reset key 603 is used to reset a set mode. A guide key 604 is used todisplay a screen for explaining each mode. An interrupt key 606 is usedto perform interrupt copying. A start key 607 is used to start a copyoperation or a scan operation. A stop key 608 is used to stop a job thatis being executed. A user mode key 605 is used to enter a user modescreen. On the user mode screen, it is possible to make various settingsregarding the apparatus. A power saving key 609 is pressed to enter apower saving state and pressed again to return from the power savingstate. A confirm counter key 610 is pressed to display on the LCD acount screen indicating the total number of copies that have been used.

A light-emitting diode (LED) 611 indicates that a job is being executed,or an image is being accumulated in an image memory. An error LED 612indicates that the apparatus is in an error state such as a jam or theopening of a door. A power LED 613 indicates that a main switch of theapparatus is on.

[Copy Screen]

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating user interface (UI) screensdisplayed on the LCD touch panel 600 illustrated in FIG. 4. The UIscreen illustrated in FIG. 5 is an example of a copy screen.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a select color button 651, a magnificationbutton 652, and a select sheet button 653 for making the respectivesettings as basic settings are placed. The states of these settings aredisplayed in an area 650. Settings other than the basic settings can beselected by pressing an other functions button 658. Although notillustrated here, various functions such as page printing, pageaggregate, and bookbinding are prepared for the other functions button658. For functions frequently used by the user among these functions,shortcut buttons can be created on the copy screen. In this case, atwo-sided button 654 for setting two-sided printing, and a densitybutton 655 for setting printing density are placed.

Further, a mixed document sizes button 656 for reading documents inwhich different sizes are mixed together, and a bound document detectionbutton 657 for detecting whether the document S conveyed by the ADF 100is a document having an unusual shape are placed.

The UI screen illustrated in FIG. 6 is a bound document detectionsetting screen displayed on the LCD touch panel 600 when the bounddocument detection button 657 as a shortcut button is pressed.

In FIG. 6, a button 701 is used to enable a bound document detectionmode for detecting whether the document S conveyed by the ADF 100 in acopy job is a document having an unusual shape. If an OK button 703 ispressed, data indicating whether the bound document detection mode isenabled or disabled is saved in the RAM 406. On the other hand, a button702 is used to disable the bound document detection mode for detectingwhether the document S conveyed by the ADF 100 in a copy job is adocument having an unusual shape. In a case where the bound documentdetection mode is enabled, a job in which a document having an unusualshape is being conveyed according to detection suspends scanning.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for controlling animage reading apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. Aprocess illustrated in each step is achieved by the CPU 401 of thecontroller unit 400 executing a control program read from the ROM 407and loaded into the RAM 406. A series of processes regarding FIG. 7 isstarted in the state where the copy screen illustrated in FIG. 5 isdisplayed on the LCD touch panel 600, and bound document detection isset to “detect”.

In step S701, the CPU 401 determines whether an execution instruction toexecute a copy job is received. If it is determined that an executioninstruction is received (YES in step S701), the processing proceeds tostep S702. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S701(NO in step S701), the process of step S701 is repeated until it isdetermined that an execution instruction is received. According to thefact that the start key 607 is pressed by the user in the state wherethe copy screen illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the LCD touchpanel 600, an execution instruction to execute a copy job is received.

In step S702, the CPU 401 determines whether the document S is placed onthe document tray 30. By receiving a detection signal from the documentdetection sensor 23, the CPU 401 can determine that the document S isplaced on the document tray 30.

If it is determined in step S702 that the document S is placed on thedocument tray 30 (YES in step S702), the processing proceeds to stepS703. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S702 (NO instep S702), the series of processes regarding FIG. 7 ends.

In step S703, the CPU 401 sets (initializes) the value of a flagindicating whether a series of processes regarding the reading(scanning) of an image of the document S normally ends (hereinafterreferred to as a “scan end flag”), to “false”. The value of the scan endflag is stored in the RAM 406.

If the value of the scan end flag is “true”, it is indicated that thescanning normally ends. If, on the other hand, the value of the scan endflag is “false”, it is indicated that the scanning does not normallyend.

For example, in a case where a stop instruction to stop the scanning isreceived, or in a case where the execution of the copy job is canceled,the CPU 401 determines that the scanning does not normally end. Then,the CPU 401 overwrites the value of the scan end flag with “false”.

After the process of step S703 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S800. The details of a scanning process in step S800 will bedescribed below.

Next, in step S704 in FIG. 7, the CPU 401 references the value of thescan end flag stored in the RAM 406 and determines whether the value ofthe scan end flag is “true”. If it is determined that the value of thescan end flag is “true” (YES in step S704), the processing proceeds tostep S705. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S704(NO in step S704), the processing proceeds to step S706.

In step S705, the CPU 401 reads image data of the document S saved inthe HDD 409 in step S808 described below and temporarily stores theimage data in the RAM 406. Then, in step S705, based on the image dataof the document S temporarily stored in the RAM 406, the CPU 401instructs the image forming unit 500 to execute a printing process.

After the process of step S705 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S706. In step S706, the CPU 401 deletes the image data of thedocument S saved in the HDD 409 in step S808, and the series ofprocesses regarding FIG. 7 ends. This is the details of a series ofprocesses of receiving an execution instruction to execute a copy joband executing the copy job for which the execution instruction isreceived.

[Series of Processes Regarding Scanning]

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the control method for controllingthe image reading apparatus according to the present exemplaryembodiment. This example corresponds to the detailed procedure of aseries of processes regarding scanning (step S800) performed by the CPU401. A process illustrated in each step is achieved by the CPU 401 ofthe controller unit 400 executing a control program read from the ROM407 and loaded into the RAM 406.

In step S801, the CPU 401 sets (initializes) the value of an unusualshape off flag to “false”, and the processing proceeds to step S802. Theunusual shape off flag refers to a flag that, in a case where it isdetermined that the document S has an unusual shape according to achange in the distance from the top surface of the document S measuredby the distance measurement sensor 22, indicates whether to continue thescanning until the scanning ends. The value of the unusual shape offflag is stored in the RAM 406. If the value of the unusual shape offflag is “true”, and even if an unusual shape is detected in the documentS, the scanning is continued until the scanning ends. If, on the otherhand, the value of the unusual shape off flag is “false”, then accordingto the fact that an unusual shape is detected in the document S, thescanning is suspended.

After the process of step S801 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S802. In step S802, the CPU 401 instructs a control unit (the CPU321) of the image reading unit 200 to convey the document S placed onthe document tray 30.

After the process of step S802 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S803. In step S803, the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (the CPU321) of the image reading unit 200 to detect whether the shape of thedocument S conveyed in step S802 is unusual. In step S803, the controlunit (the CPU 321) of the image reading unit 200 detects an unusualshape in the document S and notifies the CPU 401 of the detectionresult.

After the process of step S803 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S804. If an unusual shape is detected (YES in step S804), theprocessing proceeds to step S805. If, on the other hand, thedetermination is NO in step S804 (NO in step S804), the processingproceeds to step S818.

In step S805, the CPU 401 references setting information stored in theRAM 406 and determines whether the bound document detection mode isenabled. If it is determined that the bound document detection mode isenabled (YES in step S805), the processing proceeds to step S806. If, onthe other hand, it is determined in step S805 that the bound documentdetection mode is disabled (NO in step S805), the processing proceeds tostep S818.

In step S806, the CPU 401 references the value of the unusual shape offflag stored in the RAM 406. If it is determined that the value of theunusual shape off flag is not “true” (NO in step S806), the processingproceeds to step S811.

If, on the other hand, the determination is YES in step S806 (YES instep S806), the processing proceeds to step S807. In step S807, the CPU401 instructs the control unit (the CPU 321) of the image reading unit200 to read an image of the conveyed document S.

After the process of step S807 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S808. In step S808, the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (the CPU321) of the image reading unit 200 to transfer the read image data tothe controller unit 400. Then, the CPU 401 stores in the HDD 409 theimage data of the document S transferred to the controller unit 400.

After the process of step S808 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S809. In step S809, the CPU 401 determines whether the document Sis placed on the document tray 30. If it is determined that the documentS is placed on the document tray 30 (YES in step S809), the processingproceeds to step S802. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO instep S809 (NO in step S809), the processing proceeds to step S810.

In step S810, the CPU 401 overwrites the value of the scan end flagstored in the RAM 406 with “true”. After the process of step S810 isexecuted, the series of processes regarding FIG. 8 (step S800) ends, andthe processing proceeds to step S704 in FIG. 7.

In step S811, the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (the CPU 321) ofthe image reading unit 200 to suspend the conveyance of the document S.According to the suspension of the scanning, the CPU 401 causes the CPU321 to stop the conveyance of the document S and the reading of an imageof the document S.

After the process of step S811 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S812. In step S812, the CPU 401 displays on the LCD touch panel 600a notification screen 900 illustrated in FIG. 9.

The notification screen 900 illustrated in FIG. 9 is a screen for urgingthe user to place the document S on the document tray 30 of the ADF 100again. Further, the notification screen 900 is a screen for urging theuser to continue the scanning until the scanning ends even if an unusualshape is detected in the document S. The CPU 401 displays, as a screenfor receiving an instruction not to detect a bound document, thenotification screen 900 on the LCD touch panel 600.

After the process of step S812 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S813. In step S813, the CPU 401 determines whether a stopinstruction to stop the scanning is received. For example, according tothe fact that a stop button 901 on the notification screen 900 ispressed by the user, the CPU 401 determines that a stop instruction tostop the scanning is received. If it is determined that a stopinstruction to stop the scanning is received (YES in step S813), theseries of processes regarding FIG. 8 (step S800) ends, and theprocessing proceeds to step S704 in FIG. 7. If, on the other hand, thedetermination is NO in step S813 (NO in step S813), the processingproceeds to step S814.

In step S814, the CPU 401 determines whether a resumption instruction toresume the scanning is received. For example, according to the fact thatthe start key 607 on the operation unit 405 is pressed by the user, theCPU 401 determines that a resumption instruction to resume the scanningis received.

If it is determined that a resumption instruction to resume the scanningis received (YES in step S814), the processing proceeds to step S815.If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S814 (NO in stepS814), the processing returns to step S813.

In step S815, the CPU 401 determines whether a bound document detectionoff button 902 on the notification screen 900 illustrated in FIG. 9 ispressed. If it is determined that the bound document detection offbutton 902 is pressed (YES in step S815), the processing proceeds tostep S816. Meanwhile, in step S815, the CPU 401 determines whether theuser makes a selection to temporarily turn off the bound documentdetection mode.

For example, if the document detection off button 902 on thenotification screen 900 illustrated in FIG. 9 is pressed, the CPU 401determines that the user makes a selection to temporarily turn off thebound document detection mode. If it is determined that the user makes aselection to temporarily turn off the bound document detection mode (YESin step S815), the processing proceeds to step S816. If, on the otherhand, the determination is NO in step S815 (NO in step S815), theprocessing proceeds to step S817.

In step S816, the CPU 401 overwrites the value of the unusual shape offflag stored in the RAM 406 with “true”.

After the process of step S816 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S817.

In step S817, the CPU 401 determines whether the document S is placed onthe document tray 30. If it is determined that the document S is placedon the document tray 30 (YES in step S817), the processing proceeds tostep S802.

If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S817 (NO in stepS817), the process of step S817 is repeated until it is determined thatthe document S is placed on the document tray 30.

In step S818, the CPU 401 determines whether a paper jam occurs in theADF 100. For example, if the separation sensor 24 cannot detect thedocument S even after the certain time (t1) elapses from the start ofthe conveyance, the CPU 321 of the image reading unit 200 determinesthat a jam occurs.

Then, the CPU 321 notifies the CPU 401 of the controller unit 400 of theoccurrence of the jam. The CPU 401 notified of the occurrence of the jamdetermines that a paper jam occurs. If it is determined that a paper jamoccurs in the ADF 100 (YES in step S818), the processing proceeds tostep S819. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S818(NO in step S818), the processing proceeds to step S807.

In step S819, the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (the CPU 321) ofthe image reading unit 200 to suspend the conveyance of the document S.According to the suspension of the scanning, the CPU 401 causes the CPU321 to stop the conveyance of the document S and the reading of an imageof the document S.

After the process of step S819 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S820. In step S820, the CPU 401 determines whether the paper jamoccurring in the ADF 100 is cleared. For example, the CPU 321 of theimage reading unit 200 confirms the values of the various sensors 304notified by the CPU 300 of the ADF 100. If the document S is notdetected after (downstream of) the separation sensor 24, the CPU 401determines that the jam is cleared.

Then, the CPU 321 notifies the CPU 401 of the controller unit 400 of theclearing of the jam. The CPU 401 notified of the clearing of the jamdetermines that the paper jam is cleared. If it is determined that thepaper jam is cleared in the ADF 100 (YES in step S820), the processingproceeds to step S821. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO instep S820 (NO in step S820), the process of step S820 is repeated.

In step S821, the CPU 401 displays on the LCD touch panel 600 anotification screen 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10. The notification screen1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 is a screen for urging the user to place thedocument S on the document tray 30 again.

After the process of step S821 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S822. In step S822, the CPU 401 determines whether a stopinstruction to stop the scanning is received. For example, according tothe fact that a stop button 1001 on the notification screen 1000 ispressed by the user, the CPU 401 determines that a stop instruction tostop the scanning is received. If it is determined that a stopinstruction to stop the scanning is received (YES in step S822), theseries of processes regarding FIG. 8 (step S800) ends, and theprocessing proceeds to step S704 in FIG. 7. If, on the other hand, thedetermination is NO in step S822 (NO in step S822), the processingproceeds to step S823.

In step S823, the CPU 401 determines whether a resumption instruction toresume the scanning is received. For example, according to the fact thatthe start key 607 on the operation unit 405 is pressed by the user, theCPU 401 determines that a resumption instruction to resume the scanningis received.

If it is determined that a resumption instruction to resume the scanningis received (YES in step S823), the processing proceeds to step S809.If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S823 (NO in stepS823), the processing returns to step S822. This is the details of theseries of processes regarding scanning (step S800).

According to the first exemplary embodiment, in a case where the factthat the shape state of a document to be conveyed is not normal iscaused by the state of the document, it is possible to receive from auser an instruction to read the document, without detecting whether theabove shape state is an unusual shape in the document.

In a second exemplary embodiment, the following example is described.First, after the fact that a document is a stapled document is presentedto the user, the user manually places the detected document on thedocument platen without using the ADF 100. Then, an instruction toswitch to a continuous reading process, in which the user repeatedlygives an instruction by pressing the start button 607, can be received.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a control method for controlling animage reading apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. Aprocess illustrated in each step is achieved by the CPU 401 of thecontroller unit 400 executing a control program read from the ROM 407and loaded into the RAM 406. A series of processes regarding FIG. 11 isstarted in the state where the copy screen illustrated in FIG. 5 isdisplayed on the LCD touch panel 600, and bound document detection isset to “detect”. Steps similar to those in FIG. 7 are designated by thesame step numbers.

In step S701, the CPU 401 determines whether an execution instruction toexecute a copy job is received. If it is determined that an executioninstruction is received (YES in step S701), the processing proceeds tostep S1101. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S701(NO in step S701), the process of step S701 is repeated until it isdetermined that an execution instruction is received. According to thefact that the start key 607 is pressed by the user in the state wherethe copy screen illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the LCD touchpanel 600, an execution instruction to execute a copy job is received.

In step S1101, the CPU 401 sets (initializes) the value of a flagindicating whether a series of processes regarding the reading(scanning) of an image of the document S normally ends (hereinafterreferred to as a “scan end flag”), to “false”. The value of the scan endflag is stored in the RAM 406.

If the value of the scan end flag is “true”, it is indicated that thescanning normally ends. If, on the other hand, the value of the scan endflag is “false”, it is indicated that the scanning does not normallyend. For example, in a case where a stop instruction to stop thescanning is received, or in a case where the execution of the copy jobis canceled, the CPU 401 determines that the scanning does not normallyend. Then, the CPU 401 overwrites the value of the scan end flag with“false”.

In step S702, the CPU 401 determines whether the document S is placed onthe document tray 30. By receiving a detection signal from the documentdetection sensor 23, the CPU 401 can determine that the document S isplaced on the document tray 30.

If it is determined in step S702 that the document S is placed on thedocument tray 30 (YES in step S702), the processing proceeds to stepS1102. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S702 (NOin step S702), the processing proceeds to step S1103.

In step S1102, the CPU 401 sets (initializes) the value of a flagindicating whether to repeat the reading of a document multiple times bythe process of reading a document on the document platen, the process ofreading a document using the ADF 100, and the combination of theseprocesses (hereinafter referred to as a “continuous reading flag”), to“false”. The value of the continuous reading flag is stored in the RAM406. After the process of step S1102 is executed, the processingproceeds to step S1200.

In step S1103, the CPU 401 sets the value of the continuous reading flagto “true”, and the processing proceeds to step S1200. The details of theprocess of step S1200 will be described below with reference to FIGS.12A and 12B.

Next, in step S704 in FIG. 11, the CPU 401 references the value of thescan end flag stored in the RAM 406 and determines whether the value ofthe scan end flag is “true”. If it is determined in step S704 that thevalue of the scan end flag is “true” (YES in step S704), the processingproceeds to step S705. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO instep S704 (NO in step S704), the processing proceeds to step S706.

In step S705, the CPU 401 reads image data of the document S saved inthe HDD 409 in step S1219 or S1224 described below and temporarilystores the image data in the RAM 406. Then, based on the image data ofthe document S temporarily stored in the RAM 406, the CPU 401 instructsthe image forming unit 500 to execute a printing process.

After the process of step S705 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S706. In step S706, the CPU 401 deletes the image data of thedocument S saved in the HDD 409 in step S1219 or S1224, and the seriesof processes regarding FIG. 11 ends. This is the details of a series ofprocesses of receiving an execution instruction to execute a copy joband executing the copy job for which the execution instruction isreceived.

[Series of Processes Regarding Scanning]

FIGS. 12A and 12B are a flowchart illustrating the control method forcontrolling the image reading apparatus according to the presentexemplary embodiment. This example corresponds to the detailed procedureof a series of processes regarding scanning (step S1200) performed bythe CPU 401. A process illustrated in each step is achieved by the CPU401 of the controller unit 400 executing a control program read from theROM 407 and loaded into the RAM 406.

In step S1201, the CPU 401 determines whether the document S is placedon the document tray 30. If it is determined that the document S isplaced on the document tray 30 (YES in step S1201), the processingproceeds to step S1202. If, on the other hand, the determination is NOin step S1201 (NO in step S1201), the processing proceeds to step S1222.

In step S1202, the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (the CPU 321) ofthe image reading unit 200 to convey the document S placed on thedocument tray 30. After the process of step S1202 is executed, theprocessing proceeds to step S1203. In step S1203, the CPU 401 instructsthe control unit (the CPU 321) of the image reading unit 200 to detectwhether the shape of the document S conveyed in step S1202 is unusual.In step S1203, the control unit (the CPU 321) of the image reading unit200 detects an unusual shape in the document S and notifies the CPU 401of the detection result.

After the process of step S1203 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S1204. If an unusual shape is detected (YES in step S1204), theprocessing proceeds to step S1205. If, on the other hand, thedetermination is NO in step S1204 (NO in step S1204), the processingproceeds to step S1212.

In step S1205, the CPU 401 references setting information stored in theRAM 406 and determines whether the bound document detection mode isenabled. If it is determined that the bound document detection mode isenabled (YES in step S1205), the processing proceeds to step S1206. If,on the other hand, it is determined in step S1205 that the bounddocument detection mode is disabled (NO in step S1205), the processingproceeds to step S1212.

In step S1206, the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (the CPU 321) ofthe image reading unit 200 to suspend the conveyance of the document S.According to the suspension of the scanning, the CPU 401 causes the CPU321 to stop the conveyance of the document S and the reading of an imageof the document S.

After the process of step S1206 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S1207. In step S1207, the CPU 401 displays on the LCD touch panel600 a notification screen 1300 illustrated in FIG. 13. The notificationscreen 1300 illustrated in FIG. 13 is a screen for urging the user toplace the document S on the document tray 30 again. Further, thenotification screen 1300 is a screen for confirming with the user aboutwhether to read the document S on the document platen to continue thescanning if an unusual shape is detected in the document S. Thenotification screen 1300 is displayed as a screen for receiving a switchinstruction to switch a first reading process for reading a documentconveyed by the ADF 100 to a second reading process for continuouslyreading a document placed on the document platen.

After the process of step S1207 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S1208. In step S1208, the CPU 401 determines whether a stopinstruction to stop the scanning is received. For example, according tothe fact that a stop button 1301 on the notification screen 1300 ispressed by the user, the CPU 401 determines that a stop instruction tostop the scanning is received. If it is determined that a stopinstruction to stop the scanning is received (YES in step S1208), theseries of processes regarding FIGS. 12A and 12B (step S1200) ends, andthe processing proceeds to step S704 in FIG. 11. If, on the other hand,the determination is NO in step S1208 (NO in step S1208), the processingproceeds to step S1209.

In step S1209, the CPU 401 determines whether a resumption instructionto resume the scanning is received. For example, according to the factthat the start key 607 on the operation unit 405 is pressed by the user,the CPU 401 determines that a resumption instruction to resume thescanning is received.

If it is determined that a resumption instruction to resume the scanningis received (YES in step S1209), the processing proceeds to step S1210.If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S1209 (NO in stepS1209), the processing returns to step S1208.

In step S1210, the CPU 401 determines whether a “read document ondocument platen” button 1302 on the notification screen 1300 illustratedin FIG. 13 is pressed. If it is determined that the “read document ondocument platen” button 1302 is pressed (YES in step S1210), theprocessing proceeds to step S1211. If, on the other hand, thedetermination is NO in step S1210 (NO in step S1210), the processingreturns to step S1201.

In step S1211, the CPU 401 overwrites the value of the continuousreading flag stored in the RAM 406 with “true”, and the processingreturns to step S1201.

In step S1212, the CPU 401 determines whether a paper jam occurs in theADF 100. For example, if the separation sensor 24 cannot detect thedocument S even after the certain time (t1) elapses from the start ofthe conveyance, the CPU 321 of the image reading unit 200 determinesthat a jam occurs.

Then, the CPU 321 notifies the CPU 401 of the controller unit 400 of theoccurrence of the jam. The CPU 401 notified of the occurrence of the jamdetermines that a paper jam occurs. If it is determined that a paper jamoccurs in the ADF 100 (YES in step S1212), the processing proceeds tostep S1213. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S1212(NO in step S1212), the processing proceeds to step S1218.

In step S1213, the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (the CPU 321) ofthe image reading unit 200 to suspend the conveyance of the document S.According to the suspension of the scanning, the CPU 401 causes the CPU321 to stop the conveyance of the document S and the reading of an imageof the document S.

After the process of step S1213 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S1214. In step S1214, the CPU 401 determines whether the paper jamoccurring in the ADF 100 is cleared. For example, the CPU 321 of theimage reading unit 200 confirms the values of the various sensors 304notified by the CPU 300 of the ADF 100. If the document S is notdetected after (downstream of) the separation sensor 24, the CPU 401determines that the jam is cleared.

Then, the CPU 321 notifies the CPU 401 of the controller unit 400 of theclearing of the jam. The CPU 401 notified of the clearing of the jamdetermines that the paper jam is cleared. If it is determined that thepaper jam is cleared in the ADF 100 (YES in step S1214), the processingproceeds to step S1215. If, on the other hand, the determination is NOin step S1214 (NO in step S1214), the process illustrated in step S1214is repeated.

In step S1215, the CPU 401 displays on the LCD touch panel 600 thenotification screen 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10. The notification screen1000 illustrated in FIG. 10 is a screen for urging the user to place thedocument S on the document tray 30 again.

After the process of step S1215 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S1216. In step S1216, the CPU 401 determines whether a stopinstruction to stop the scanning is received. For example, according tothe fact that the stop button 1001 on the notification screen 1000 ispressed by the user, the CPU 401 determines that a stop instruction tostop the scanning is received. If it is determined that a stopinstruction to stop the scanning is received (YES in step S1216), theseries of processes regarding FIG. 12 (step S1200) ends, and theprocessing proceeds to step S704 in FIG. 11. If, on the other hand, thedetermination is NO in step S1216 (NO in step S1216), the processingproceeds to step S1217.

In step S1217, the CPU 401 determines whether a resumption instructionto resume the scanning is received. For example, according to the factthat the start key 607 on the operation unit 405 is pressed by the user,the CPU 401 determines that a resumption instruction to resume thescanning is received.

If it is determined that a resumption instruction to resume the scanningis received (YES in step S1217), the processing returns to step S1201.If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S1217 (NO in stepS1217), the processing returns to step S1216.

In step S1218, the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (the CPU 321) ofthe image reading unit 200 to read an image of the conveyed document S.

After the process of step S1218 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S1219. In step S1219, the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (theCPU 321) of the image reading unit 200 to transfer the read image datato the controller unit 400. Then, the CPU 401 stores in the HDD 409 theimage data of the document S transferred to the controller unit 400.

After the process of step S1219 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S1220. The CPU 401 determines whether the document S is placed onthe document tray 30. If it is determined that the document S is placedon the document tray 30 (YES in step S1220), the processing proceeds tostep S1202. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S1220(NO in step S1220), the processing proceeds to step S1221.

In step S1221, the CPU 401 determines whether the value of thecontinuous reading flag is “true”. If the value of the continuousreading flag is “true” (YES in step S1221), the processing proceeds tostep S1225. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S1221(NO in step S1221), the processing proceeds to step S1229.

In step S1222, the CPU 401 determines whether the value of thecontinuous reading flag is “true”. If the value of the continuousreading flag is “true” (YES in step S1222), the processing proceeds tostep S1223. If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S1222(NO in step S1222), the processing returns to step S1201. In step S1223,the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (the CPU 321) of the imagereading unit 200 to read an image of the document S on the documentplaten.

After the process of step S1223 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S1224. In step S1224, the CPU 401 instructs the control unit (theCPU 321) of the image reading unit 200 to transfer the read image datato the controller unit 400. Then, the CPU 401 stores in the HDD 409 theimage data of the document S transferred to the controller unit 400.

After the process of step S1224 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S1225. In step S1225, the CPU 401 displays on the LCD touch panel600 a notification screen 1400 illustrated in FIG. 14. The notificationscreen 1400 illustrated in FIG. 14 is a screen for allowing the user toselect whether to read a next document.

After the process of step S1225 is executed, the processing proceeds tostep S1226. In step S1226, the CPU 401 determines whether a stopinstruction to stop the scanning is received. For example, according tothe fact that a stop button 1402 on the notification screen 1400 ispressed by the user, the CPU 401 determines that a stop instruction tostop the scanning is received. If it is determined that a stopinstruction to stop the scanning is received (YES in step S1226), theseries of processes regarding FIG. 12 (step S1200) ends, and theprocessing proceeds to step S704 in FIG. 11. If, on the other hand, thedetermination is NO in step S1226 (NO in step S1226), the processingproceeds to step S1227.

In step S1227, the CPU 401 determines whether a reading instruction toread a next document is received. For example, according to the factthat the start key 607 on the operation unit 405 is pressed by the user,the CPU 401 determines that a reading instruction to read a nextdocument is received.

If it is determined that a reading instruction to read a next documentis received (YES in step S1227), the processing returns to step S1201.If, on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S1227 (NO in stepS1227), the processing proceeds to step S1228.

In step S1228, the CPU 401 determines whether an end instruction to endthe scanning is received. For example, according to the fact that astart copying button 1403 on a notification screen 1400 is pressed bythe user, the CPU 401 determines that an end instruction to end thescanning is received.

If it is determined that an end instruction to end the scanning isreceived (YES in step S1228), the processing proceeds to step S1229. If,on the other hand, the determination is NO in step S1228 (NO in stepS1228), the processing returns to step S1226.

In step S1229, the CPU 401 overwrites the value of the scan end flagstored in the RAM 406 with “true”. After the process of step S1229 isexecuted, the series of processes regarding FIG. 12 (step S1200) ends,and the processing proceeds to step S704 in FIG. 11. This is the detailsof the series of processes regarding scanning (step S1200).

According to the second exemplary embodiment, it is possible to presentthe cause of the suspension of a job to a user and entrust the user withselecting whether to give an instruction to switch a recovery processfor recovering the job to a continuous reading process, which ismanually performed by the user.

That is, in a case where the fact that the shape state of a document tobe conveyed is not normal is caused by binding such as stapling, it ispossible to present the cause of this shape state and also receive froma user an instruction to continuously read a document placed on adocument platen.

The present invention can also be achieved by the process of supplying aprogram for achieving one or more functions of the above exemplaryembodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or a storagemedium, and of causing one or more processors of a computer of thesystem or the apparatus to read and execute the program. Alternatively,the present invention can also be achieved by a circuit (e.g., anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) for achieving the one ormore functions. Specifically, the present invention can be achieved by acontrol circuit (an ASIC), designed to execute the processing based onthe flowcharts, executing the processing of the CPU 300, the CPU 321,and the CPU 401.

According to the present invention, in a case where the fact that theshape state of a document to be conveyed is not normal is caused by thestate of the document, it is possible to receive from a user aninstruction to read the document, without detecting whether the aboveshape state is an unusual shape in the document.

Further, in a case where the fact that the shape state of a document tobe conveyed is not normal is caused by binding such as stapling, it ispossible to present the cause of this shape state and also receive froma user an instruction to continuously read a document placed on adocument platen.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: adisplay; a conveyor that conveys a document sheet; a reader that readsan image on the document sheet conveyed by the conveyor; and acontroller that detects stapled document sheets conveyed by theconveyor, wherein the controller detects a jam of document sheetsconveyed by the conveyor, wherein the display displays a first screenfor the stapled document sheets according to detection of the stapleddocument sheets, and wherein the display unit displays a second screenfor the jam.
 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein a display content of the first screen is different from adisplay content of the second screen.
 3. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the first screen is a screen for notifyingthat document sheets are stapled.
 4. The image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the display content of the first screenincludes display regarding disabling of a function for detecting stapleddocument sheets.
 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the display content of the second screen does not include thedisplay regarding disabling of the function.
 6. The image processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor conveys documentsheets one by one from a document sheet tray.
 7. The image processingapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor, wherein thecontroller detects the stapled document sheets conveyed by the conveyor,based on a detecting result by the sensor.
 8. The image processingapparatus according to claim 7, further comprising another sensor,wherein the controller further detects, using the another sensor,occurrence of the jam of document sheets conveyed by the conveyor. 9.The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imageprocessing apparatus receives a setting whether to disable a functionfor detecting stapled document sheets.
 10. The image processingapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image processing apparatusreceives the setting whether to disable the function for detectingstapled document sheets, before conveyance by the conveyor is started.11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a printer that prints the image read by the reader.
 12. Adisplay method comprising: conveying a document sheet; reading an imageon the conveyed document sheet; detecting stapled document sheets whichare conveyed; detecting a jam of document sheets which are conveyed;displaying a first screen for the stapled document sheets according todetection of the stapled document sheets; and displaying a second screenfor the jam.
 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12,wherein a display content of the first screen is different from thesecond screen.
 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12,wherein the first screen is a screen for notifying that document sheetsare stapled.
 15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12,further comprising printing the read image.
 16. A non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium for storing a computer program forperforming a control method for controlling an image reading apparatus,the control method comprising: conveying a document sheet; reading animage on the conveyed document sheet; detecting stapled document sheetswhich are conveyed; detecting a jam of document sheets which areconveyed; displaying a first screen for the stapled document sheetsaccording to detection of the stapled document sheets; and displaying asecond screen for the jam.